Commemoration in Honolulu — November 14, 2025
On November 14, 2025, a solemn ceremony was held in Honolulu, Hawaii, marking 80 years since the end of World War II and honoring all who lost their lives in the Pacific War.
Representing the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the Shinzo Abe Initiative, Co-Founder Nguyen Anh Tuan traveled to Hawaii to participate in both the memorial ceremony and the reception—underscoring the global significance of this commemoration and BGF’s enduring mission of peace, reconciliation, and ethical leadership in the Indo-Pacific.
The event was led by Yasuhide Nakayama, BGF’s Representative for Japan and Taiwan, and organized by the Preparatory Office of the Free & Open Indo-Pacific Foundation.
More than 60 participants from Japan were joined by 40–50 Hawaii residents, bringing together over 100 attendees at the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii.
Religious Leaders Across Japan Unite in Prayer
A distinguished delegation of Japanese religious leaders brought profound spiritual meaning to the ceremony, including:
- Teruo Hidani, Chairman, Japan Buddhist Federation; Chairman, Japan Religious Federation
- Eshin Tanaka, Chief Administrator, Nichiren Shu
Leaders from various traditions stood together, offering prayers for the souls of the fallen from both nations—symbolizing compassion, healing, and shared humanity.
A Symbolic Intersection of History
This commemoration stood at a powerful historical crosspoint:
- 10 years after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Barack Obama’s historic Reconciliation Speech at the USS Arizona Memorial
- 80 years after the end of World War II
- 84 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor
These overlapping anniversaries deepened the ceremony’s emotional and spiritual impact.
At Punchbowl: Honoring Japanese American Heroes
At the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), participants offered floral tributes and prayers to honor:
- Senator Daniel K. Inouye
- Astronaut Ellison Onizuka
They also paid heartfelt respect to all unknown soldiers resting there, a gesture of cross-national gratitude and remembrance.
Young Voices from BYU–Hawaii Carry Hope Forward
Students, faculty, and staff from Brigham Young University–Hawaii—where Nakayama serves as Visiting Professor—joined the ceremonies at Punchbowl.
Their participation symbolized a powerful bridge between generations, preserving peace through education and service.
A Pearl Harbor Story: The First Seed of Reconciliation
Among Hawaii’s many wartime stories, one stands out.
On the day of the Pearl Harbor attack, U.S. service members debated how to treat the body of a fallen Japanese pilot. Some called for it to be discarded.
The base commander intervened:
“Could any of you fly with the courage this pilot showed today?”
Silence filled the room.
He then ordered a full military burial with honors.
This moment—on the very first day of the war—planted an early seed of reconciliation and affirmed the shared humanity at the heart of U.S.–Japan friendship.
Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima: Now Sister Memorial Partners
Today, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum are formally linked as Sister Memorial Partners, jointly promoting peace education, remembrance, and shared commitment to a world without war.
Support from the U.S. National Park Service
Deep appreciation is extended to:
Tom Leatherman, National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
for his generous support during the USS Arizona Memorial visit.
Global Thinkers and Policymakers in Attendance
Representatives of the BGF community, together with policymakers, Indo-Pacific experts, AI ethics scholars, and community leaders, participated in the memorial—transforming the commemoration into a meaningful platform for cross-cultural dialogue and strategic understanding.
BGF Co-Founder Nguyen Anh Tuan: A Bridge for Peace in the Indo-Pacific
By representing both the Boston Global Forum and the Shinzo Abe Initiative, Nguyen Anh Tuan reinforced the Initiative’s mission to advance reconciliation, shared values, and ethical leadership.
His participation built new bridges across Japan, Hawaii, and the Indo-Pacific—continuing the vision of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a peaceful and free region.
Reception with Public Officials (Respecting Separation of Religion and State)
Following the ceremony, a reception allowed for open discussion in a neutral setting.
Attendees included:
- Chotoku Hideaki, Consul-General of Japan in Honolulu
- Hirokichi Nakatsu, Liaison Officer, Japan Self-Defense Forces
These interactions strengthened networks of trust and dialogue.
An International Forum of Human Connection
Religious leaders, policymakers, scholars, business figures, Japanese American residents, and young leaders gathered in an atmosphere of humility and purpose—fostering new collaborations dedicated to peace across the Pacific and the world.
Carrying the Torch of Peace Forward
Quiet yet profound, this commemoration reaffirmed a shared promise:
- To confront history with courage
- To prevent the repetition of past tragedies
- To protect peace, dignity, and freedom for future generations
Through the Shinzo Abe Initiative, BGF will continue working to expand global cooperation and sustain the flame of reconciliation across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Yasuhide Nakayama, Former Japanese State Minister of Defense
